Sunday, June 21, 2009

Note: Sorry about the delay on this one – I’ve been having medical issues this week, now behind me.Next week I’ll be on vacation, so there’ll be two weeks worth of reviews when I get back.Oh, and happy birthday Casual Listening, now two years running.

June 19, 2009

! Sarah Jarosz -- Song Up In Her Head (folk)

Jarosz is one of the most talented of the next generation of bluegrass-inspired stars. A full-throated singer, compelling songwriter, and formidable instrumentalist on both banjo and mandolin, she's got a boundless future in music; don't wait for it -- her work now is already amazing.

This is the album to out-cool all of your cool friends this summer. Inspired by Jamaican dancehall beats, Major Lazer uses an unbelievable range of samples (horses, cell phone rings, and of course plenty of lasers) to construct postmodern party music. The grooves are heavy, and sure to inspire nodding heads across the world.

The Portuguese band Cacique '97 is further proof that the Nigerian jazz-funk style known as afrobeat has become a truly international phenomenon. A big horn section over a driving bassline and multi-layered vocals means Cacique '97 can hold their own among the best Afrobeat bands anywhere in the world. Besides, doesn't everything sound more laid-back in Portuguese?

Although Vincent is best known for classic bluegrass, she's got some countrypolitan ballads on this release that Dolly Parton herself would be proud to sing. A couple of Southern gospel tunes round out an exceptional set of roots music.

Since the election of Barack Obama, outrage has taken a holiday.Even the Daily Show is biding its time taking potshots at Fox News.Meanwhile, millions of Americans are joining the ranks of the unemployed and kids are still coming home in body bags.Anti-Flag reminds us what righteous anger sounds like.Blistering punk grafted to stick-in-your-head melodies, and uncompromising lyrics that would seem crazier if they didn’t match today’s headlines.Whether or not you agree with the message, you’ll find it hard to ignore and maybe even be a little envious of a political voice that is neither cautious nor measured.

It’s been an amazing time for music from Mali, with Sangare’s album following weeks after excellent releases from Amadou & Mariam and Vieux Farka Toure.To my ears, Seya is the strongest of the three.With traditional string instruments, dense percussion and Sangare’s powerful voice, this album grooves hard.

An exquisite-sounding rap album, with samples of Eastern ecstatic music on several tracks.Mos Def has some bravura lyrical turns and a message that is positive with some political and spiritual elements.

Dirty Projectors bring an artistic flair to their music that puts them in a league with Talking Heads.Unconventional harmonies, angelic vocals, and instrumentation that layers guitar-bass-drums with violins, electronics, and whatever else happens to be on hand.There’s a complexity here that rewards multiple listens.

The album, ostensibly of a modern string ensemble with clarinet and percussion, is chamber jazz that threatens to spin out of control but just manages to hold together.In actuality, Benadon has sculpted and assembled the improvisations of the various musicians, recorded separately.Given that compositional task, the cohesiveness of the musical lines is remarkable.

When the jazz DJ starts naming personnel on some of your jazz favorites, you’re going to hear “Freddie Hubbard on trumpet” a lot.He’s among the most respected horn players ever to play jazz.So for Blue Note Records to unearth and release this live set 40 years after the fact is a musical event in the jazz world.He’s playing at his peak – crisp tone, muscular solos, and with a killer band egging him on (that’s Roland Hanna on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums for those keeping score).

Mariachi is an art form best experienced in the open air.Mariachi Real de San Diego manages to capture in the studio the elation of the Mexican big-band tradition that comes out at weddings, parades, and other fiestas.Olé!